Kesha’s lawsuit has celebrities voicing opinions about women empowerment
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In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke, her producer who she claims drugged, raped and sexually abused her, causing her to suffer from an eating disorder. Kesha said the abuse had been occurring for almost a decade.
In the case, she only asked to be removed from her contract with Kemosabe, not for Dr. Luke to face any jail time. Dr. Luke, however, filed a countersuit that said the singer was only making the allegations in order to be removed from her contract.
In court Friday, the New York Supreme Court justice said Kesha may not record outside of her contract until the case is closed.
Celebrities who identify as feminists have voiced their opinions on behalf of Kesha’s case. Demi Lovato has been the most prominent in taking to Twitter to show her support in favor of Kesha. “Someone tell me why anyone would ever feel brave enough to come forward if they are most likely to be ignored or called a liar?” Lovato posted.
However, a few of the tweets the singer posted have been changing the focus from supporting women in times of need to shaming women who do not broadcast their support.
In a tweet Sunday, Lovato said, “Women empowerment is tweeting at 2:30 am knowing the consequences of these tweets and not giving a single fuck.” Lovato later posted, “Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I’ll be impressed.”
While it is okay to voice a strong opinion publicly in order to raise awareness of an issue, Lovato switched the focus of supporting women everywhere who are forced to see their abuser every day to shaming women who do not broadcast their support on social media. Women can support other women in more ways than taking to social media. Action, not just words, are the changing forces of any circumstance. What has Lovato done other than post her opinions to social media?
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, four out of every five reported sexual assaults are by someone the victim knows. This means, just like Kesha, these victims are subject to their abuser on a daily basis. Kesha is one of many women who must live with this reality.
Unlike many women, however, Kesha has had the courage and opportunity to take action for those women who cannot fight for their freedom. Shifting the focus to taking action rather than just talking about the issue will help more women escape the harsh reality of sexual abuse.
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